Big Corp Inc. (G/T)

Part 5: The Best Laid Plans of Mice

Candy made sure to bring a lunch with her the next day, along with some extra snacks so she wouldn't get hungry. She packed a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a bottle of water, chips, and pretzels into a brown paper bag. Her feet were swollen and sore from walking around in heels, and her calves and ankles protested the harsh treatment, but she reluctantly put on her uncomfortable work shoes anyway. She wondered to herself if her Giant boss would notice if she wore her sneakers instead, with how miniscule her feet were. She didn't want to risk it. She didn't want to be "punished," whatever that meant in his twisted mind.

Once she felt fully prepared to face the day, she hobbled out of her apartment and down her usual path to the railway station. Considering her mishap yesterday with the elevator, she left early again in case anything else went wrong today on her way over. The sky was overcast; she hoped it wouldn't rain. She boarded the car and shot off to her destination. The Big Corp Inc. structure, once it appeared on the horizon, looked bleak and dark against the gray sky, like a towering prison. The railcar stopped and Candy got out. She was still nervous about crossing the Giant sidewalk, but after doing it a couple times in prior days, the task was less daunting, more routine. She made it across without incident and headed inside.

She went the opposite direction than where she had gone the past two days, toward the human elevator instead of the Giant one. She was still careful to sidle up to the wall, to prevent any accidents that would turn her into a gelatinous ooze on the tiled floor. The route took significantly longer, but she made it. She was relieved to be able to get up to the third floor on her own for once. She pushed the button to summon the elevator and waited. She thought about the thoughtful, kind Giant she had met yesterday. Maybe she would see him when she made it to the third floor, since his desk was close by. She liked that idea.

She waited. And waited. She clicked the button again, puzzled. The elevator car never came. She swore under her breath. The elevator didn't work. Why did she expect that things would actually work out for once? All the stress she felt yesterday came flooding back. Now, she was stuck on the wrong side of the lobby; she wanted to scream with frustration. Crossing through the center like a normal Giant would be too hazardous; she'd have to hug the walls all the way around.

She huffed angrily and began the long journey, bemoaning her bad luck. She looked at the vast distance across the lobby. She was tempted to make a run for it. She gulped and started to creep away from the wall. There weren't too many Giants strolling through the lobby presently. She might be able to make it. She darted forward, her heels clacking loudly on the expansive tiles. She moved as quickly as she could, making a concerted effort not to trip. Her lungs started to burn and her heart felt like it would explode, but she kept running.

She tripped, of course. Fortunately, she didn't injure herself badly, but she did scrape her knee and elbow on one side. She limped to her feet and kept going. Nobody had noticed her fall. She was gasping for breath and pouring sweat by the time she finally reached the other side. By some miracle, she had not been stepped on.

"My goodness Candy, you look like you just ran a marathon!" Candy gazed up to see a familiar face, Bianca, looking down at her. The Giantess leaned forward with her legs crossed and her skirt pulled down, in a conscious effort to not flash the human standing below her.

"Oh, hi Bianca," she panted. "Can you take me up to the third floor, please?"

"Of course!" the Giantess agreed, lifting the human up in her elegant hands. Candy was relieved to at least not have to struggle through the whole elevator fiasco again. "So how was your first day yesterday? I didn't see you at all! Do you know which cubicle you were assigned to yet?"

Candy tried to muster up some enthusiasm. "It wasn't too bad. I haven't been given a desk yet. I was doing training yesterday in Mr. Hardon's office."

Bianca stiffened. "My condolences," she said softly, stroking Candy's hair to comfort her. "I hope he was decent with you. Where do you need to go?"